Armstrong Vaz
QATAR
Goan all-rounder Saurabh Bandekar -- one of the three senior players -- dropped by Goa Cricket Association (GCA) from the 25-member probable list has found a greener pasture and has been performing consistently in both the batting and bowling department in England.
Speaking from London, where he has been based for the last two months along with two other Goan cricketers Amogh Desai and Darshan Misal, both who are part of the Goa Ranji Trophy squad.
Bandekar said he has been performing consistently in both the batting and bowling department in England playing for minor counties.
Playing in the Western District Cricket Union league in Glasgow Scotland had good season scoring 567 runs at an average of 51.55 and got 20 wickets at an average of 27.15 in the league.
“It has been a great season for me here (Scotland and England). I got here on May 4 and will leave on September 9”, he said.
Asked as to the career options he was thinking about after being dropped by GCA selection committee, Bandekar said he had nothing on his mind yet. “No career move planned as yet. I’m still in the UK playing cricket... will be back in a week... being here throughout their full summer has been a great season for me,” he added.
Bandekar, for the next two weeks will be playing in the Lancashire league before heading to Goa.
He informed that the three of them could make a trip to England to gain valuable match practice during the off season and brush up their game largely due to the efforts of their agents.
The 30-year-old did not wish to comment on his non-selection into the Goan probable list for obvious reasons. Instead, he wants the records to speak for him. Bandekar, who has so far turned out for Goa in 64 Ranji Trophy matches since making his debut in 2005 has so far scored 2025 runs and taken 171 wickets. He has one century against his name and ten half centuries in 89 innings, on the bowling front in 103 innings his best bowling figures were six wickets for 75. He has captured five or more wickets on seven occasions and four wickets on six occasions.
He along with Shadab Jakati and Swapnil Asnodkar were dropped by the GCA giving reasons they wanted to pick forward a youth policy.
The GCA decision to recruit former India captain Azharuddin’s son Assaudin (29) who is yet to play a single Ranji Trophy player has not gone well with the state cricketing fraternity.
One of the dropped cricketer, Jakati, who played for different IPL clubs took the press route to air his grievances of his and that of his teammates. He said that GCA has become ‘laughing stock’ of the cricketing world for their rash and illogical decisions and that he was toying with the idea of filing a case in the High Court after getting hold of the necessary papers.
